Gotcha! OF plays trick on runner, ends up saving a run

MIAMI -- It was a risky gamble from Mauricio Dubón, but one that may have saved the Braves a run on Tuesday afternoon at loanDepot park.

With Atlanta trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning, Christopher Morel drove an 0-2 offering from Martín Pérez deep to left field for a one-out double. As the ball carried towards the wall, Dubón briefly turned his back to the play before the ball struck the wall.

That hesitation appeared intentional.

Otto Lopez, who was on first base, slowed between second and third while tracking Dubón's reaction. By the time Lopez realized the ball stayed in play, Dubón had recovered it and thrown it back to the infield, which held Lopez at third.

The Marlins still added a run later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from Esteury Ruiz, but Dubón’s awareness may have prevented further damage.

Dubón, batting second behind Ronald Acuña Jr., who returned to action after being activated from the IL on Monday, has primarily been known for his versatility around the diamond. Count his savvy left-field deke as the latest example of that.